At least 5 century-old trees toppled to give way to road in Cebu City

DPWH-7 workers cut down a century-old Acacia tree along M. Velez Street, Barangay Capitol Site in Cebu City. Photo by Jowence Niña L.Mendoza/Inquirer

CEBU CITY — At least five century-old trees were cut to give way for infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cebu City.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has granted special permits to DPWH-7 to cut four narra trees and one mahogany tree on M. Velez Street, Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.

In a press statement, DENR-7 Director Paquito Melicor Jr. said the Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has delegated to the Community Environment and Natural resources Office the authority to issue tree-cutting and earth-balling permits supposedly to fast track infrastructure projects of the DPWH.

“The DENR came up with the revision after delays in the processing of tree-cutting permits was identified as one of the causes of the slow implementation of the government’s Build, Build, Build program,” he said.

Prior to the issuance of special tree-cutting permit, Melicor said DPWH complied with the requirements, which include among others the infrastructure plan that charts the trees that would be affected by the project and endorsements from concerned local government units.

In an endorsement dated July 19, 2019, Captain Manuel Guanzon of Barangay Capitol Site issued no objection to the cutting of trees in the area.

The actual cutting of affected trees, Melicor said, was done on September 21 and 22 with the close supervision of the DENR.

He said the planting of 500 seedlings to replace the five trees that were cut was also complied with by the DPWH.

Flak

The cutting of the century-old trees, however, drew flak from environmentalists in Cebu.

Nigel Villarete, an urban planner and environmentalist, believes the cutting of the trees did not in any way hamper the traffic flow in the area.

He said the traffic was hampered, and danger was introduced because the road was widened beyond the capacity of the corridor.

“The traffic flow disruption and the increased danger was introduced by unplanned and unwanted widening at that corner. Everybody knows (I hope) that a sudden widening followed by a sudden narrowing of a road will introduce a disruption in speed and direction as people rush towards a suddenly wide area only to be constricted back,” said Villarete in a post on Facebook

“Anybody who knows traffic-calming techniques knows that in many situations, narrowing roads can improve traffic flow and make it safer for everybody,” he added.

The trees near the Cebu Capitol, he said, could have added a “nice, green island in the middle for everyone to enjoy instead of the drab endless concrete we call roads.”

“Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure around the capitol would earn the gratitude and praise of the ordinary people. And the acacia tree would be the centerpiece of that little oasis beside the citadel,” Villarete said./lzb